Though the future of the gasoline-powered Cadillac Escalade is unknown as General Motors moves further along on its electrification roadmap, that didn’t stop the luxury brand from giving the 2025 model year providing a glow-up. 

“The Escalade has always been about bold American craftsmanship, technology and performance, and has continuously raised the standard of full-size SUV luxury since it was introduced 25 years ago,” said John Roth, Cadillac global vice president, in a media release.

“The Escalade franchise has defined Cadillac for five generations. As the best-selling luxury full-size SUV in North America since 2014, and with more than one million units sold globally, the expansion of the portfolio to include a refreshed Escalade and the all-new all-electric ESCALADE IQ.”

Taking some styling cues from the aforementioned IQ, the LED daytime running lights are reduced to slivers resting above the vertically-oriented headlamps. In-between is a larger grille boasting an illuminated badge and partial frame. For the first time, up to 24-inch alloy wheels (+ $2,075) are available giving the full-size luxury utility vehicle a seriously commanding presence. 

Influence from the EV is seen and felt inside as well, staring with the massive 55-inch pillar-to-pillar high-definition infotainment display. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is supported, and the integration is seamless with the system booting up quicker than other competitors I’ve tested. The hazard button located in front of the storage cubby could probably be relocated to a better spot to avoid inevitably pressing it by accident when placing items inside or taking them out of the compartment.

Passengers in the second row have access to a rear seat entertainment system, with dual 12.6-inch screens, and receive a massage while watching their shows. Unlike the IQ, the captain’s chairs easily tilt 45 degrees and slide forward at the touch of a button to allow convenient ingress/egress to and from the back bench. 

However, compared to the zero emissions variant there’s much less cargo capacity mainly due to the absence of a frunk. On a recent family trip with seven occupants, the 722 litres behind the row was pushing it as no under-floor storage is offered. At least when luggage is stacked all the way to the top, the powered pop-out rear window makes it easy to access the area without everything toppling out from opening the liftgate.

The same throaty 6.2-litre V8, paired to a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, still propels the 6,300-pound SUV and the standard dynamic air suspension on our Platinum trim ($156,769) press loaner still yields a cushy ride.